Fire Tax Considered For Rural Santa Cruz County Communities

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will consider whether property owners in certain rural areas should be assessed for increased fire protection and emergency response services.

During its regularly scheduled Oct. 22 meeting, the board will take up a report on Santa Cruz County fire protection and emergency medical response services in County Service Area 48, which includes unincorporated areas of Bonny Doon, Davenport, Loma Prieta, Corralitos, Las Cumbres and the wider South Skyline area.

Through a contract with Cal Fire, County Fire provides year-round fire protection and emergency response services to properties in those areas. County Fire has held neighborhood meetings in the communities to hear residents’ concerns and answer questions regarding fire protection services, emergency medical services and 9-1-1 response times.

CSA 48 fire protection services face challenges, including 25 percent fewer firefighters on staff today than 10 years ago, a declining number of volunteer firefighters and a 22 percent increase in emergency calls. Engines also operate at below recommended staffing levels, which can impact fire response services, according to the county.

One option to alleviate the shortfall is to let property owners in CSA 48 vote on whether to impose an assessment on themselves to increase fire protection and emergency response services. County Fire is seeking approval from the board for the ballot initiative allowed under Proposition 218. If the board of supervisors approves the option, a mail vote would take place within 45 days of any board action.

"The proposed assessment will restore contracted fire staffing levels to three firefighters per engine (one paid by state two paid by county) during non-fire season and will significantly contribute to improved safety and protection, coupled with the volunteer firefighter responses to incidences within CSA 48," according to county analysis provided to the board of supervisors.

"In addition to improving county fire’s responsiveness during non-fire season, these additional resources will allow for increased focus on fire prevention activities," the report continued. "Additionally, much of County Fire’s fleet of vehicles, equipment and apparatus are aging, in some cases, up to 28 years old, while the recommended lifespan for a front line engine is 10 years. The proposed assessment includes ongoing funding to allow for regular, planned replacement of County Fire’s fleet, equipment and apparatus."

The proposed assessment has been calculated for nine different property types (single-family, multi-family, storage, commercial/industrial, etc.), and according to the county's analysis could bring an additional $1,551,118 for fiscal year 2020-21. The annual assessment for a single-family residence would be $148.72, according to the report.

The majority of CSA 48 residents support an assessment, with only Bonny Doon residents showing a mixed response to the idea, according to the county report.